My voice is barely a whisper as I offer my final statement to everyone through my comm."About to scale Cairntorran's eastern wall.If I'm not in touch in fifteen minutes, assume Kenny and I are both dead."
The old stone feels cool against my fingertips as I begin my climb, finding purchase in centuries-old mortar cracks.Cairntorran may be ancient, but its weathered facade is a climber's dream.I scale the wall with practiced ease thanks to my old friend muscle memory.I've accomplished similar ascents on film sets and adventure vacations.The difference is that no safety harness will catch me if I slip tonight.
Now that I'm at the servant's window, I test it gently.Locked, as expected.I extract a thin metal tool from my belt and work the ancient mechanism with delicate precision.A satisfying click rewards my efforts, and I ease the window open just enough to slip through it.The musty scent of old wood fills my nostrils as I drop silently into what appears to be a storage room.Dust motes dance in the shaft of moonlight from the window.I pause, letting my eyes adjust to the deeper gloom within.Though I listen for any unusual noises, I hear none.There's nothing but the creak of old timber and my own careful breathing.
I check my watch---thirteen minutes to find Kenny and get out.As I move to the door, I press my ear to the weathered wood before easing it open a crack.The corridor beyond is dimly lit by wall sconces that cast more shadows than light.Perfect.
"I'm in," I tell the team through my comm."Heading to the east wing now."
"Be advised, we've lost visual on the north patrol," Logan says."They could be anywhere."
"Wonderful," I mumble, slipping into the hallway.
I hug the wall as I move, staying in the deepest shadows.The floor creaks beneath my weight, and I freeze, holding my breath.Nothing.No one comes to investigate.I exhale silently and step forward carefully.The manor's interior is a maze of corridors and rooms, some grand and others utilitarian, all bearing the weight of centuries.I navigate by memory, counting doorways and turns.The darkness is both my enemy and my friend, hiding dangers from my sight but concealing me from others.
A voice echoes from somewhere ahead, and I squeeze myself into an alcove, becoming one with the shadow of an ancient suit of armor.Two men pass by but do not notice me.
"The boss wants us to move him at dawn," one gent says."He doesnae want to risk another night in this rat-infested place."
"Aye, the bastard's more trouble than he's worth," the other replies."Nearly took Hamish's eye out with that fork."
I suppress a smile.That sounds like Kenny all right, resourceful even when captured.I wait for the men to disappear around a corner before continuing my path through the manor.The east wing lies just ahead.I check my watch again---eight minutes left.I approach the staircase leading to the second floor.The steps look ancient and treacherous in the dim light.One wrong move and the whole place will know I'm here.
As I ascend the stairs, I test each one before putting my full weight on it, ascending with painstaking slowness.Halfway up, a board creaks loudly beneath my foot.I hesitate, listening intently for any reaction.When I'm certain no one heard, I continue my journey upward, reaching the second-floor landing.The hallway stretches out before me, and every door appears to be locked.But I dinnae believe that.
At last, I've found my destination.The third door from the end.
I extract my lock picks again and work swiftly despite the poor light.This lock is older and more substantial than the window's mechanism.But it yields to my persistence after thirty seconds of careful manipulation.
"About to make contact," I whisper into my comm."Stand by."
I ease the door open, wincing at the slight creak of ancient hinges.The room beyond is dark except for a sliver of moonlight cutting through a narrow window.It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, but then I see him---a figure slumped in a chair, hands bound behind his back.
"Kenny," I whisper, moving swiftly to his side."It's me.I've come to rescue you."
"About bloody time," the lad says with a smirk."Can we go now?I'm bloody sick of those eejits."
I cut the ropes that bind him, and Kenny doesnae have any trouble walking, thankfully.Dinnae see any bruises or cuts on him either.The laddie jumps up the second I've freed him.
But I should explain what's about to happen."Kenny, we need to move fast but keep our footsteps as quiet as possible.Let's go."
The lad follows my lead and does exactly what I told him.We hear voices in another room, but the door is shut, and no one inside hears us.I employ grappling hooks to get over the manor's wall.
And then I turn to Kenny."Are ye ready for this, laddie?"
"Aye."He grins, his eyes wild with a special sort of excitement that comes only from escaping death."Been ready since they grabbed me."
"Then let's get the fuck out of here."I secure the rope."You go first."
Kenny doesn't hesitate, grabbing the rope and rappelling down with surprising skill for someone who's been a captive for days.I rush after him, keeping an eye out for any sign we've been spotted.So far, so good.
"Team, we have the package," I whisper into my comm."Moving to extraction point alpha."
"Copy that," Logan responds."Vehicle standing by."
We stick to the shadows, moving across the grounds like ghosts.Kenny keeps pace beautifully, not making a sound.I'm impressed.Most civilians would be stumbling around like drunk elephants after an ordeal like his.Kenny shimmies across the lawn on his belly, just as I told him to do, and we reach the edge of the forest even faster than I'd hoped.But freeing the lad was only phase one.
While Rafe Knight shepherds Kenny back to the staging area, Keltie and Domhnall create a diversion that should buy us the time we need to get clear.I check my watch.We're running ahead of schedule, a bloody miracle in an operation like this.
